Business Car weekly newsletter

Welcome to our latest weekly newsletter, highlighting some of the top articles we've posted to Business Car.

UK used car sales see strong start to year

The number of used cars sold in the UK in the first quarter of 2024 rose by 6.5% year-on-year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). It said the number of transactions, at 1.96 million, was the highest seen during Q1 since 2019.The SMMT said the fifth successive quarter of used market growth reflected recovering supply in the new car market, which in turn was improving availability and choice of second-hand models.

Reacting, Richard Peberdy of KPMG UK said stock volumes were being boosted by fleets selling vehicles into the market, while Philip Nothard of Cox Automotive said he was optimistic for continued market growth.

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Polestar Pre-owned used car programme targets SME fleets

Martyn Collins speaks to Matt Hawkins, head of sales at Polestar, about the programme, aimed at reducing the time it takes for leasing companies with end of contract stock to turn it into cash.

Hawkins and his team have set up a 'Pre-owned' area of Polestar.com as a marketplace, where both Polestar and its investor partners can advertise pre-owned stock.

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Fleets still propping up new car market growth

UK new car registrations rose by 1% year-on-year in April, with fleet demand still proving the key to market strength. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), April was the 21st?month in a row to see overall growth, thanks to an 18.5% rise in fleet registrations, which accounted for more than six out of ten new cars registered.

Reaction comes from SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes, Lex Autolease managing director Nick Williams, and KPMG UK head of automotive Richard Peberdy.

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Brand awareness key to Omoda and Jaecoo UK fleet launch

There are two new Chinese challengers set for the UK car market, with Omoda and Jaecoo making their entrance this summer.

Martyn Collins talks fleet plans with national fleet sales manager Chris Clayton.

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Allstar announces ChargePlace Scotland link

Allstar has become the first business EV charging provider directly linked to the ChargePlace Scotland charging network. It means charging at more than 2,800 chargers across more than 1,400 locations which form part of the Scottish Government-backed scheme can be paid for through the Allstar Chargepass payment solution.

Allstar Chargepass UK MD Ashley Tate e said: “We’re delighted to have partnered with ChargePlace Scotland who are the provider to over half of the public charge points in Scotland to provide our unmatched award winning payment solution."

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Arval UK announces senior leadership appointment?

Leasing company Arval has named Elliott Woodhead as UK retail director. The appointment is said to complete the Arval UK executive team, following the arrival of Mike Curtis as corporate sales director in July last year.

Arval UK managing director Lakshmi Moorthy said: “Both Elliott and Mike have enormous experience, both of the UK market from their extensive time here previously, and now bringing a valuable perspective of leasing across global markets."

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Gofor announces EV charging partnership

Fleet management company Gofor has announced a partnership with VCHRGD Technologies to provide EV home charging for its customers.

The deal will see Gofor salary sacrifice customers recommended a VCHRGD 7kW or 22kW charger, with discussions also underway regarding Gofor's wider fleet management customer base.

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AFP conference speakers confirmed

The full list of speakers has been announced for the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) annual conference.

The event, at the British Motor Museum on 15 May, is organised around a number of panel sessions.

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Thanks for reading. If you have a story you think would be of interest to us contact Business Car or for commercial enquiries contact Mike Rigg directly.